Arsenal can finally complete transfer mission for dream Declan Rice partner

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Arsenal may have the chance to revive transfer interest in a player who has previously been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, if his latest comments are anything to go by.

Arsenal have been linked with now Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans for some time, with the Belgian impressing since making the move to the Premier League in 2019. The 28-year-old was a key player for Leicester City, scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final in 2021.

He left the club on a free transfer following their relegation in 2023, and joined Aston Villa on a free transfer.

After a first season establishing himself at the club, Tielemans kicked on in the 2024/25 campaign, re-finding the form that first saw him linked with Arsenal. The season saw him play a total of 53 games in all competition, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists from midfield.

He will, however, have just one year remaining on his deal at Villa Park at the end of the month. And Villa's final day loss against Manchester United saw them miss out of Champions League football next season.

It means that the club may have to sell one or two players this summer to be able to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability regulations. Morgan Rogers has been linked with an exit, but the club may be more open to selling Tielemans due to the pure profit he would represent on the books, which would be a massive boost in terms of the regulations.

Tielemans himself has also hinted that he could be willing to move away from Villa this summer while speaking to the media during international duty with Belgium.

"I feel good at Villa. I feel a lot of confidence from the club and the coach," he said in a press conference ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Wales.

"I was constantly at a very high level and was very involved in Villa's game. I have made progress in all areas.

"Does that make me think about a transfer? Nothing is ruled out, but I am not really thinking about that.

"I am doing well at Villa. I feel a lot of confidence from the club and the coach."

Tielemans' comments come amid reports over Arsenal transfer target Martin Zubimendi. football.london undertands that a deal for the Spain international has been verbally agreed, with a medical and the signing of the contract just needed.

However, reports in Spain claim that Real Madrid are now trying to hijack the deal with Xabi Alonso keen on working with the player. It is also added that Zubimendi may be open to moving to Real Madrid and likes the idea of staying in Spain.

Should the Spanish giants be successful in their late move for Zubimendi, then it would leave Arsenal looking for an alternative. Tielemans could just be the player they need, and the signs point to a deal being possible to be done.

Tielemans' arrival at Arsenal would be good news for Declan Rice, with the pair able to form a formidable partnership in the heart of the Gunners' midfield. The Belgian maestro's creativity could perfectly offset Rice's all-action style of play and bring a new edge to the side's attack as well.

Having first been linked with Arsenal in 2022, Tielemans' arrival would complete a three-year mission for Mikel Arteta and could help drive another Premier League title push as well.